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Canadian Man Rescued After Being Stuck On Longs Peak

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (CBS4) – Officials with Rocky Mountain National Park say a 19-year-old Canadian man has been rescued after being stuck in an “extremely precarious” location on Longs Peak.

An elaborate rescue attempt was underway all day that included hikers on the ground and a helicopter.

The red circle indicates where the stranded hiker is on Longs Peak (credit: Teton Interagency Helicopter/Rocky Mountain National Park)

Samuel Frappier, 19, of Quebec, Canada, had been stuck on the east face of the 14er at an elevation of approximately 13,000 feet since Tuesday. He was rescued just before 6 p.m.

Park officials said Samuel Frappier of Quebec was able to walk and talk when he was flown to a landing zone in the park, park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.

Frappier was flown to a landing zone in the park and was taken to the hospital in Estes Park by ambulance. His condition is unknown.

Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said Frappier was ascending the mountain with a friend but they separated. He ended up getting stuck on Tuesday afternoon at a location of the mountain called Broadway Ledge.

(credit: CBS)

“He’s perched in a horrible spot,” Patterson said.

Patterson said Frappier didn’t have climbing equipment with him and doesn’t have much climbing experience. She said he also hadn’t been planning to be on the mountain overnight.

A rescue team had been in contact with Frappier on his cellphone. Patterson said he’s lucky he was able to get cellphone service.

“A significant technical rescue is taking place. There are currently 28 team members and rescuers involved in this incident,” Patterson said earlier during the rescue attempt. “Park rescue team members are dealing with a number of hazards including active ice and rock fall.”

A short-haul helicopter capable of lowering a stretcher that was used to rescue climbers in Grand Teton National Park was brought in.

Nearly 30 people were involved in the rescue that included deep snow and ice on many parts of the mountain that have been falling. Crews need temperatures to cool down and snow to harden to climb.

Rescue members were to be flown out as daylight permitted.

The mountain, visible from the Denver area, is a popular place to climb and can be scaled without any special equipment during the summer.

However, recent climbers have said winter conditions remained where park officials warn that mountaineering experience and the knowledge and use of specialized equipment is required.